Billings Launches Vacation House Check for Homeowners

The free Billings Police Department program sends volunteers to watch over homes of residents who are away for five to 90 days.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Property Crime

Billings Launches Vacation House Check for Homeowners

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The Billings Police Department launched the Vacation House Check program three weeks ago, letting homeowners sign up for volunteers to watch their homes while they travel. The service is free and open to Billings residents who live in a house rather than an apartment.

Why it matters

The program gives homeowners peace of mind during extended absences, and it adds a neighborhood-level layer of observation for properties that would otherwise sit unattended. Terry Struck expects many residents to sign up as they leave Montana during the winter months.

The program is active three weeks after launch, with eligibility limited to Billings houses on trips of five to 90 days. The source does not report enrollment totals or outcomes so far.

The players

Billings Police Department

The Billings Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency serving the city of Billings, Montana, and runs the Vacation House Check program.

Terry Struck

Terry Struck is a Billings Police Department official quoted about the program's expected enrollment as Montanans travel south for the winter.

The details

Volunteers walk the exterior of enrolled homes once or twice a week, looking for broken windows, open gates, and unfamiliar cars in the driveway. When something appears wrong, they call the homeowner to ask whether the condition is expected, and if it is not, they involve Billings police.

Late October 2026: Vacation House Check program launches in Billings.
At least one week before departure: Homeowners must submit their application.
Winter months: Sign-ups are expected to rise as residents travel south.

Legal Context

Vacation house-check services extend the neighborhood-watch tradition of residents keeping an eye on one another's homes, now formalized through a municipal police department. The Billings program applies that model to absent households during long trips, a use that police agencies in other cities have adopted in similar form.

Billings homeowners who must leave for five to 90 days can request free exterior checks by applying at least one week before departure, provided they live in a house. Residents should expect volunteers to call them if any unusual condition appears.

The takeaway

Homeowners planning an extended trip in Billings can apply for the free Vacation House Check at least a week in advance to get regular exterior checks while they are away.